Joseph Kenn, born 21/9/1757 in Zweibrücken, came to Paris in 1782. Since 1783 he was the 2nd hornist at the Grand Opera and one of the famous soloists of the so called "cor basse". 1795 - 1802 he was also professor for horn at the Paris Conservatoire. Among his students was also Louis Dauprat. The reforms of the Conservatoire in 1802 made him unemployed. As second horn player he was retired in 1808. Dauprat got in his place. He died on February 14, 1840 in Fontainebleau.
Kenn composed horn trios, duos for horn and clarinet and several duos for two horns.
The 25 duos for two horns op. 2 were published by Simrock in Bonn around 1800.
